Deer in the Landscape
Would you believe that at the turn of the 20th century, the white tail deer was an endangered species in many areas. Particularly on the east coast of North America. Special protections and re-introduction programs were common to repopulate deer into many areas of its former range. Today, this conservation effort has to rank as one of this nation's largest success stories. In fact it is estimated that today there are more white tail deer than when the first settlers arrived in the new world. Now thats success! Need more proof? Check out White Tail Deer Populations in Maryland
Many might even consider that this "huge" success is becoming one "huge" problem. It's the too much of a good thing syndrome. Yes, white tails are extending their range into suburban neighborhoods and making a pest of them selves. The combination of increasing deer population and the creation of ideal deer habitat in suburban communities is resulting in ever increasing deer herd sizes in these areas. What's attracting them? Tender lawns to graze and a tasty buffet of browse in ornamental landscapes. Add landscape cover that affords privacy and a sense of isolation and you have the ingredients for good deer habitat. The white tails are only doing what comes naturally, filling a vacuum. Suburban Whitetail Management of Northern Virginia provides more compelling info on deer encroachment into human habitats. (Click on the education links in the left hand column of the page.)
So what's a poor homeowner, who's trying establish and maintain a garden to do? How do we discourage deer from feasting on our favorite specimen plants, or even those run of the mill plants that fill the voids? Tough questions, but with a little insight, planning for the inevitable, and the use of some effective products we at least can keep the carnage under control.
Lets begin with the insight. It helps if we understand a little deer ecology. White Tail Deer Description and Habit is a basic primer on this subject. We are ingrained by movies such as Bambi to believe that white tail deer are creatures of the deep woods, existing as far as possible away from human influence. Nothing could be further from the truth. Deer are in fact creatures of the "edge"- the transition zone where two or more habitat types border. Urban and suburban neighborhoods abound in "edge". It is these transition zones and the multiple cover and food types that are in close proximity that attract deer. The menu is large and varied- a flavor for every taste. If one type of food crop fails another type is readily available nearby. The white tail's digestive tract and metabolism is quite adaptable. And they seem to simply savor a variety of tastes. It is reported that deer will browse on over 6oo species of plants. So at least something (and probably many somethings) in your yard is likely to be on the deer diet. For more info visit Deer Food Requirements and Feeding Habits.
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